Updated October 25th, 2022.
One of our values as an organization is to be a catalytic leader that engages in critical issues and accelerates systems change. Our involvement in policy issues impacting our community is one way we bring these values to life. Another way we take action is through the legislation we support or oppose during the legislative session and the issues we champion and challenge in city government. We not only use our voice to engage in critical discussions but we also fund and lift up those doing similar work to change policies and practices that will improve the lives of those living in Metro Denver. And we engage in these issues that further our strategic mission, support a racially equitable Denver, and align with our key priority areas: civic fabric, climate and the environment, economic opportunity, education, housing, and transportation.
This fall is no different. There are several important issues on the ballot that will impact you and our community: issues that will help improve our environment, support those most negatively impacted by the housing crisis, and support our state and ensure its success in the future.
While you are filling out your ballot in the coming weeks, we hope this guide will help you better understand these complex issues and determine what will help our community.
We are taking positions on the following ballot measures:
Local – Denver
Ballot question 2I: Strong Library Strong Denver. We are supporting this measure because libraries are a vital community resource and it will help all people access such resources to help them with school, jobs, and other services.
About: This will increase revenue for Denver Public Library through a modest property tax to increase pay for librarians and staff making below-market wages; expand technology access to support patrons who lack internet access; further access to resources for those in the job market; and enhance programs and services for children, youth, older adults, communities of color, and vulnerable groups like immigrants and refugees.
Policy framework alignment: Economic Opportunity
Learn more at the Strong Library Strong Denver website.
Referred Question 2J: Retain Excess Sales Tax Revenue for Climate Protection Fund. We are supporting this measure because it will help combat climate change by providing funding to create policies and programs to build a more sustainable and resilient Denver.
About: This retains already collected revenue from this tax to fund the Climate Protection Fund. This will allow the City and County of Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency to continue its work to combat climate change in alignment with its approved plans.
Policy framework alignment: Environment and Climate
Learn more about this and other ballot measures in this Denver Post article.
Referred Question 2K: Retain Excess Sales Tax Revenue for Homelessness Resolution Fund. We are supporting this measure because it will maintain an existing source of revenue to fund programs to increase access to housing with supportive services and foster innovative approaches to addressing homelessness.
About: This retains already collected revenue from this tax to fund the Homelessness Resolution Fund. This will allow the City and County of Denver’s Department of Housing and Stability to continue their work to resolve homelessness and increase affordable housing options in alignment with their approved plans.
Policy framework alignment: Housing (Affordable housing and Homelessness)
Learn more about this and other ballot measures in this Denver Post article.
Initiated Ordinance 306: Waste No More. We support this measure because it will help the environment by making recycling and composting more accessible for all Denverites.
About: This effort supports the environment by requiring recycling, or recycling and composting in various settings throughout the city; including in apartment buildings, construction sites, grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, sports venues, and permitted events in the City and County of Denver. By increasing access to recycling and composting, no matter where someone lives, works, or plays, Denverites can reduce waste and emissions.
Policy framework alignment: Environment and Climate
Learn more at the Waste No More website and The Denver Post.
Initiated Ordinance 307: Denver Deserves Sidewalks. We support this measure because it will help improve access to transit and jobs by ensuring that all communities in Denver have equitable investments in their sidewalks.
About: This establishes an annual fee to be paid to property owners to fund construction upgrades and repair of sidewalks within the City and County of Denver. This effort will help people in these neighborhoods who depend on walking to access transit and other daily destinations. It will also make these communities safer and healthier.
Policy framework alignment: Transportation (Transit access)
Learn more at the Denver Deserves Sidewalks website.
State
Proposition 121: State Income Tax Reduction. We are opposing this measure because it reduces the state budget available for important services we support, including education.
About: This reduces state income tax rate for individuals and corporations from 4.55% to 4.40%. This would result in a reduction to the state budget, which would mean fewer resources for schools and other important government services, including behavioral health services and higher education.
Policy framework alignment: Economic opportunity and Education (School finance)
Learn more about Proposition 121 at the Colorado General Assembly website.
Proposition 123: Dedicated State Income Tax Revenue for Affordable Housing Programs. We support this measure because it helps with affordable housing by providing dedicated funding for communities across Metro Denver.
About: This dedicates a portion of existing revenue to a new state housing fund to support increasing the affordable housing supply by providing down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, lowering rent, and building more affordable housing across the state of Colorado.
Policy framework alignment: Housing (Affordable housing and Homelessness)
Learn more at the Proposition 123 website.
Learn more by attending the following events: Statewide Ballot Review with The Bell Policy Center; Textbank with Prop 123; LGBTQ+ Roundtable; and Young Professionals Happy Hour.
Proposition GG: Amount Of Tax Owed Table For Initiatives. We support this measure because it will help our economy and local investments in communities if voters make more informed decisions on any tax changes on the ballot.
About: This establishes new requirements for information to be provided to voters on their ballot when tax measures are presented, including the impacts of tax changes on public services and the impacts of certain tax changes based on income levels. Providing such information will empower voters to make informed decisions when voting on taxation ballot measures.
Policy framework alignment: Economic opportunity, Education (School finance), Housing, and Transportation
Learn more about Proposition GG at the Colorado General Assembly website.
For more information on other ballot measures not referenced above, please visit the following websites. Please note that the foundation will not take a formal position on every ballot measure at the state and local levels. We focus our policy work on issues that align with our key priority areas: civic fabric, climate and the environment, economic opportunity, education, housing, and transportation. We thoroughly reviewed all state and local ballot measures before making these recommendations on the ballot measures listed above.
Ballot guides and trackers
Colorado Public Radio voter guide – CPR translated their voter guide into Spanish thanks to funding from The Denver Foundation’s Civic Fabric Fund.
Denverite Voter Guide – Guía para Votantes
Learn more by attending the 2022 Statewide Ballot Review with The Colorado Fiscal Institute on October 25 and November 1, and the Ballots and Beers Happy Hour Event with Count Me In on October 19.